Residents go to board about proposed school

Published: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

Residents of northern Davidson County crowded the county commissioners' board room to ask officials to "invest" in a planned high school for the Oak Grove area.

They didn't get their answer on Tuesday, but commissioners will discuss the request formally at their next meeting in July.

Thirteen people spoke in favor of the county appropriating what is estimated at $45 million to build the new high school, which would be located across the street from Oak Grove Middle School off Hoy Long Road. No one spoke against the planned school during the public comment session.

Building the planned school has been an item of debate amongst commissioners throughout the year. While Davidson County Commissioner Billy Joe Kepley has said the school is his No. 1 priority, other commissioners have said other projects, such as a planned large industrial park and numerous other capital needs, should be taken care of first.

"I would like to focus more on the economic standpoint of building a high school versus a business park," said Stephanie Kennedy, a teacher at Oak Grove Middle School and parent of two daughters who will attend the middle school next year. "If we build a business park, we have to have a place people want to bring their families. If they are not confident Davidson County Schools can provide for their students, they will not live in Davidson County."

School officials opened Oak Grove Middle School last fall, which they said alleviated overcrowding issues at North Davidson and Ledford middle schools.

The long-term idea also includes building a high school, according to Davidson County's capital improvement plan, and past and current commissioners have informally committed to the project.

Davidson County owns the land where the proposed high school would be built, in addition to the appropriate infrastructure and a roundabout.

Ledford High School Principal Jonathan Brown told commissioners that if his school took on 100 more students, he wouldn't know where to put them, adding that the school's cafeteria, media center and other common areas are often used as classroom space. In addition, about 13 roving teachers don't have a classroom, Brown said.

"When you have over 1,250 students in a building made for 800 students, (safety) is a concern for me every day and for my staff," said Brown, who also spent time teaching at North Davidson High School, another school officials have said is too crowded.

Donna Tucker, a sixth grade teacher at Oak Grove Middle School, said the construction of the middle school not only alleviated a crowding problem, but also launched a new community of learners.

"We have a great love for each other and we want to see that sense of community continue in the high school," Tucker said. "A lot of our students have expressed how they wish they could go to Oak Grove High School."

After the public comment session, which was extended for time, Davidson County Board of Commissioners Chairman Fred McClure encouraged citizens to contact their state legislators.

"That is where the funding comes from," McClure said. "The county was supposed to get 40 percent of the lottery money, and we got 22 percent. That is over $1 million we don't have for that school."

Kepley, who said the county had received hundreds of petition letters about the school, asked that the board place the high school on the board's next scheduled meeting at 8 a.m. on July 11.

In other business, commissioners:

• Approved a resolution reappointing Joe Silver as Davidson County tax collector for a four-year term.

• Voted to replace a roof to the courthouse addition, which was built in 2000, because of recurring leaks. The board accepted a bid from Davie Roofing Solutions of about $72,000.

Nash Dunn can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 227, or at nash.dunn@the-dispatch.com.

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